Emma Nelson

Emma Nelson

Emma Nelson graduated from Marquette University with degrees in Social Welfare & Justice and Political Science, and has developed a strong interest in public health and advocacy. Emma has worked with people living with HIV for approximately 9 years, starting her career at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. She served as a medical case manager in clinics in both Milwaukee and Kenosha, WI. Emma is currently a Linkage to Care Specialist at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, an academic research hospital in Milwaukee, WI. She was among a group of professionals who piloted, helped craft program standards and implementation for the “Linkage to Care” Initiative, funded through the HRSA Special Project of National Significance Program. Wisconsin’s “Linkage to Care” Intervention was specifically designed to increase linkage and retention in HIV-related medical care, especially for young black men who have sex with men (MSM). Emma has completed the Advanced Practice Certificate Program in Motivational Interviewing, as well as Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT). Emma’s passion for learning and advocacy allows her to attend conferences, trainings, and other continuing education opportunities to build skills to better serve people living with HIV.

Presentation Description:Using goals outlined in The 2020 National HIV/AIDS Strategy as a framework, this presentation will explore HIV among young black men who have sex with men. Specifically, it will touch on three central goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: 1) Reducing New HIV Infections; 2) Increasing Access to Care & Improving Health Outcomes; 3) Reducing HIV-Related Health Disparities and Inequities. To meet these strategic goals, and to meet the needs of this disproportionately impacted community, thinking outside the box and outside the traditional HIV support structures is required.

Other considerations in providing successful integrative care will also be discussed, including trauma informed care, cultural humility, stigma and shame resilience, motivational interviewing, and educational-focused interactions. HIV care providers will also be provided tools and resources to better serve this community.

Objectives:1. Explore social determinants of health and other systems of oppression that contribute to health disparities and inequities across the HIV care continuum.
2. Analyze disproportionately high rates of new HIV infections and disproportionately lower rates of successful linkage, viral suppression, and retention in care among young black men who have sex with men (MSM).
3. Assess Wisconsin’s “Linkage to Care” Initiative, an innovative intervention tailored to tackle HIV-related health disparities and inequities among young black MSM.
4. Discuss other considerations in providing successful integrative care, including trauma informed care, cultural humility, stigma and shame resilience, motivational interviewing, and educational-focused interventions.
5. Provide tools and resources for HIV care providers.